Preparing for a CBP Audit (Focused Assessment and Referral Audits)

The Journal of Commerce is presenting three webcasts comprising the 2012 customs "Regulatory Audit Webcast Series" to engage and hear what the experts have to say as well as join the insider discussion on these important international trade topics!

PROGRAM ONE: Preparing for a CBP Audit (Focused Assessment and Referral Audits)

A two-part, 90-minute live webcast on how to prepare for a Focused Assessment (FA) presented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and industry representatives

Part 1: Hear from senior CBP officials who oversee and implement the Focused Assessment program and have the opportunity to ask questions

Part 2: A private Q&A session with experienced trade lawyers and ex-Customs officials on how to prepare for and manage the Focused Assessment process, to be accompanied by a visual presentation.

Now is the season when CBP notifies importers that they will be the subject of an upcoming Focused Assessment audit or "FA." An FA is a comprehensive audit conducted by CBP and typically involves an intensive 6-month audit process of your company's import operations conducted by a CBP audit team. The CBP team can be expected to review internal controls and CBP entries for compliance in regards to value, HTS classification, NAFTA, GSP, reconciliation, anti-dumping and other free trade agreements. Effectively preparing for the FA is critical and has proven to reduce potential penalty liability as well as maintaining your import compliance credibility with CBP.

In this 90-minute live webcast, you will learn about:

What to expect if your company is targeted for Focused Assessment

The importance of written internal control procedures

The role of interviews by CBP personnel

Documentation and other information CBP will be looking for

Potential impact on C-TPAT and 10+2/Importer Security Filing status

How to conduct a pre-audit internal review

Whether to undertake an ISA as an alternative to Focused Assessment

Importance of not waiting until a Focused Assessment notification is received

Part 1:
Cynthia Covell, Executive Director, Regulatory Audit, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
James Madden, Field Director - New York, Regulatory Audit, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Carrie Reyes, Operations Director, Regulatory Audit, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection